According to a report by Napoli Calcio Live, Tottenham Hotspur are ready to pursue SSC Napoli’s first-choice goalkeeper, Alex Meret, with a transfer fee of €40 million in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Spurs are currently undergoing a rebuild process following the departure of Antonio Conte, with Cristian Stellini taking the reins as interim manager until the end of the season, and a permanent manager expected to be hired thereafter.
Despite Tottenham’s recent promise, they still need significant additions to their playing roster, especially in the goalkeeping department, with current goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, in the twilight years of his career.
Lloris, a World Cup winner, has been Tottenham’s primary goalkeeper since he arrived at the club in 2012. However, at thirty-six, his abilities at the top level start to deflate, making it necessary for the club to seek a long-term replacement.
Meret has attracted Tottenham’s attention with his impressive performances for Napoli, and the 26-year-old has made 130 appearances and kept 44 clean sheets since joining the club in 2018.
The North London club are said to be ready to intensify their efforts to acquire the Italian international, with his valuation reportedly around €40 million. While this figure is not cheap, it could future-proof Tottenham’s goalkeeping department if they decide to invest in Meret.
However, Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti is reluctant to let go of his goalkeeper, and it is unlikely that the club will accept Tottenham’s bid unless it is substantial. Additionally, it remains to be seen if Meret would be interested in playing for Tottenham – with Napoli and it’s success under Spalletti in recent times giving him a vital hope of winning the Scudetto and the Champions League.
Tottenham have turned to Serie A for reinforcements in recent windows, and it is possible they may continue to do so. Meret’s contract at Napoli runs until 2024.
Napoli loanee Pierluigi Gollini, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham, did not show enough to suggest that he could replace Lloris, and Tottenham will hope that Gollini does not try to persuade Meret to reject a move to the club.
Honestly, moving from Napoli to Tottenham seems a bit far-fetched at this point – as earlier stated, given where both the clubs are in their projects. Spurs are at a point where they are at the dawn of a new one while the City of Naples are at their prime.
As an alternative to Alex Meret, Tottenham are also in the race of Valencia’s highly-rated goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
